Google reportedly explores major revamp in Android home screen and notifications

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

/ by Abhinaya
As the Google’s I/O Conference is fast approaching, there is a plethora of rumors about the possible changes that could be made to the Android platform. Even the Android platform has not witnessed any major user interface refresh since the Android ICS update. Now, there are reports claiming that the search engine giant is planning to fully revamp the Android home screen.

Android

According to Android Police reports, Google is trying to implement major changes to the Android home screen and notification panel. The changelog is said to include heavy dependence on the multi-tasking key, an all new look for the notification tray and a faster way to access the Google Now.

Talking about the multi-tasking button, it is said that users can access the recently used apps along with the app tray using this function. By pressing the multi-tasking key, that is positioned at the right-most of the on-screen buttons, will open a stack of app cards instead of thumbnail images.


Google home screen change mock-up

Google will also let the users to enter the multi-tasking view by swiping down directly from the action bar of an active app. Below this multi-tasking view is a dock of four apps and on swiping to the right of this view will open a grip of apps suggesting that Google could bid adieu to the widgets.

Google home screen change mock-up

Next is the notification bar that is said to resemble the Google Now look with an image at the top followed by card style notifications. These alerts are said to be segmented into the upper and lower halves of the panel with the important ones occupying the top and the ones with low priority at the bottom.

Google home screen change mock-upGoogle home screen change mock-upGoogle home screen change mock-up

Coming to Google Now, there appears to be no changes in the look and feel, but is believed that users can access the app in an all new way. In order to open it, users will have to simply swipe upwards from the bottom on the home screen. Also, it is rumored that Google will allow users to use the ‘Ok Google’ hotword anywhere within the UI.

As of now, it remains unclear if Google is really exploring these tweaks, but at least some of them are sure to appear in the final version of Android that will be unleashed (hopefully) at the upcoming conference.
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edited with by Aman